Philadelphia isn't a fun place to play in as a visitor, especially during the playoffs.
The Washington Capitals are entering the lion's den tonight holding a 2-0 series lead over a Flyers team who is very good at playing desperation hockey.
We saw that desperation in full force on Saturday as the Flyers peppered 42 shots on Braden Holtby, but the Caps' goaltender came up huge, allowing just one goal.
“Throw 42 shots at the net, got one goal,… Flyers' Wayne Simmonds said after the game. “Obviously, Holtby’s doing a great job.…
Washington won the game 4-1 to take the series lead to two games, but tonights game is sure to have a completely different feel as the Flyers will be playing their first game at home since the death of founder Ed Snider.
Snider's death is almost a call to arms for a very close-knit organization which includes some of the most passionate fans in sports. This will be the true test for the Caps to see just how hard they can rally together.
"It was a tough week for the organization, the players and fans," captain Claude Giroux said Sunday, "and it'll be something special to be home and remember what (Ed Snider) has done." (NHL.com)
For Braden Holtby, it will be a chance to show just how dynamic he can truly be.
Holtby has stopped 60 of 61 Flyers shots through two games and been the key factor in both Capitals wins.
“He’s unbelievable,… said Caps' Marcus Johansson of Holtby. “He’s making saves all over the place and sometimes you’re just shocked when he gets to stop the puck. He’s so good. He’s such an unbelievable goalie for us.…
In Holtby's 6th playoff series, he is posting incredible numbers. In 36 career playoff games, Holtby has an 18-18 record with a 1.84 GA and a .938 SP, best among all active goaltenders with 20+ playoff games.
But the Caps can't rely solely on Holtby's play. This is a team that boasted 120 points this season, and you can't do that with a goaltender alone.
Washington's play has been solid, and I believe they have only scratched the surface in just how good they can be this post-season.
"Entitled to Nothing" is the teams' slogan this Spring, and based on how they played in the final 10 games of the regular season, it's appropriate.
Nobody said the Flyers would be a push over, and I believe it'll take a brutal loss in one of the next two games to really get the Caps moving.
They held the Flyers to just 19 shots in the first game while dominating physically. Game two saw a different and more aggressive Flyers team which will no doubt be on display tonight. Holtby is one of the best 'last lines of defense' in the league, but Washington has to play a little better in front of him tonight if they want to get out of Philadelphia alive.
More to come...